RANGPUR, Jan 1, 2023 (BSS) - Like in the last few days, a sweeping chilling cold wave forced many people to stay indoors and a fewer number of vehicles plied on the roads and highways amid a densely foggy weather in the northern region till 9 am today.

 Although the minimum temperatures marked little rises during the past 24 hours ending at 9 am today, the intensity of biting cold remained mostly unchanged exposing the poor, elderly people and children to miseries.

 According to the Met Office sources, the lowest temperature of 10 degrees Celsius in the country was recorded today at Tentulia and Srimangal points.

 Besides, the minimum temperatures recorded today were 11.8 degrees Celsius at Rangpur, 11.2 degrees Celsius at Dinajpur, 11.8 degrees at Saidpur, 11.6 degrees Celsius at Dimla and 12.3 degrees Celsius at Rajarhat points in the northern region.
 
Clouds, mists and thick layers of fog apparently gave most parts of the extreme northern region a darker look amid blowing cooler wind from the western and north-western directions since Saturday night.

 All types of vehicles plied on the roads and highways with headlights on as the visibility range reduced to the minimum due to thick layers of fog from Saturday evening.

 Although the sun appeared to be penetrating the thick layers of fog in the noon for a couple of hours at places, there was no respite from the biting cold today in the region.

 Local residents said the extreme weather aggravated sufferings of those living particularly on the sandy char and riverine areas in the region today.

 Acting Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman said the doctors continued to treat a higher number of people with cough, fever, asthma and other cold- related diseases at the health facilities in the region in recent days.

 "We have adequate stock of medicines and other health facilities in the government-run hospitals and other health facilities to treat the cold-related patients across Rangpur division," he added.

 Meanwhile, the district administrations, voluntary, sociocultural and charitable organizations, business bodies and other institutions have been distributing warm clothes among the cold-stricken people to mitigate their sufferings.

 District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer for Rangpur Md. Motahar Hossain said distribution of 60,000 pieces of blankets allocated by the government in the first phase among cold-stricken people of Rangpur district is nearing completion.

 "Besides, the government has allocated more 15,000 pieces of blankets for distribution among cold-affected people in the district," he added.

 Kurigram DRRO Abdul Hye Sarker said the district administration has already distributed 38,000 pieces of blankets among cold-affected people of the district.

 "The government has allocated more 15,000 pieces of blankets in the second phase for distribution among cold-stricken people of all nine upazilas and three municipalities in the district," he said.

 Talking to BSS, Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Abu Jafar distribution of warm clothes allocated from the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Disaster Management Relief continues among the cold- hit people in the division.

 "The government has allocated more blankets and different NGOs, charitable and voluntary organisations are also providing warm clothes for distribution among the cold-affected people," he added.